After bouncing around various New York towns and rinks, the Stampede landed in Oswego for the 2017-18 season. Originally part of the Mid-Atlantic Division of the IJHL, the team played in Cicero, NY, where they lost in the finals of the IJHL championship. In 2012, the Stampede entered the Northern States Hockey League – finishing second in the regular season and advancing to win the championship. Over the next few years, the Stampede moved to Baldwinsville, were acquired by the NAHL and began playing in the NA3EHL, and relocated once again to Morrisville. After the NA3EHL was absorbed by the NA3HL in 2016, the Stampede found themselves in Oswego – keeping the name and Head Coach Mike Beavis, but changing their logo and team colors.

With thirty years of coaching under his belt, Coach Mike Beavis has coached at the junior level since 1993. Even though he’s helped innumerable players reach their hockey goals, Beavis notes that the most important part of coaching has been the “lasting relationships with many people and players that I have been associated with over the years.”

After making the playoffs for the first time since coming under the NAHL umbrella, Coach Beavis is pleased with the way the season turned out.

“We put together a very competitive team last season, and finished strong in third place in the division. We also put six guys in college – everyone was happy.”

This season, Beavis and his coaching staff hope to capitalize on his team’s large number of younger players and to mold them into future Tier II and NCAA competitors.

“We have a lot to look forward to. We feel that our defense will be very solid and our goaltending as well. I think our top two lines will generate some decent opportunities for us and we are continuing to potentially add some talent upfront.”

The Stampede are also excited about the move to Oswego, and hope the supportive atmosphere can benefit both the team and the city.

“We have had a great response and were welcomed with open arms. It’s a large city, and there’s a lot of people that are excited for the move. It’s a good hockey town.”

The overwhelming support from the city has already prompted the team to begin volunteer events that work with youth hockey programs and schools. They have also given their home opener “City of Oswego” night.

“We’ve done a lot with the city itself. It’s the mayor that started the whole move for us to come to the city of Oswego. We’re excited to grow a fan base here.”

Although league wide events are undoubtedly “great exposure for the league’s top guys,” Stampede players and coaches would like to see an event hosted on the East Coast as well.

Described as “disciplined, driven and proud,” the Oswego Stampede are patiently waiting to start the season in their new home. They open their season at home against the Northeast Generals on September 16, 2017.